On our recent stopover in Ithaca, New York, we were delighted to discover the rich and varied street art and graffiti — by local, national and international artists — that have found a home there. Here is a small sampling:
Italian artist Alice Pasquini, close-up
Brazilian artist Eder Muniz
Peruvian artist/activist Paloma Abregu Arroyo and Ithaca-based Caleb R Thomas, close-up
Oakland-based artist Desi Mundo
French artist Roti
The legendary Copenhagen-based graffiti writer Bates
Ithaca-based Meal
First image is a collaboration between Eder Muniz and Meal
Special thanks to Meal for introducing us to Ithaca’s rich public art and to Fresh Paint NYC for connecting us.
Photos: 1, 2, 5, 6 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 3, 4 & 7
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Within the last month ArtBattles local champion, Cernesto, and European ArtBattles champ, El Niño de Las Pinturas, have painted — to our delight — huge murals in the East Village and in Soho.
Cern‘s completed mural in the East Village
El Niño de Las Pinturas, completed mural in the East Village
El Niño de Las Pinturas, close-up in the East Village
Cern in Soho
El Niño de Las Pinturas in Soho
Photos: 1-3 & 5-6 Tara Murray; 4 Lois Stavsky
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Committed to healing and transforming communities by beautifying the urban landscape, Wall\Therapy has brought dozens of magical murals to Rochester, New York. Here are a few we discovered on our brief stopover last week:
Montreal-based Omen
Italian artist Peeta
West Coast-based Troy Lovegates aka Other
Tel Aviv-based Know Hope
Rochester’s own Mr Prvrt
West Coast-based Sam Rodriguez
Brazilian artist Binho
And kicking off this Friday, July 17, is WALL\THERAPY 2015 featuring an extraordinary array of artists including NYC-based Li-Hill, Vexta and Daze.
Photos: 1,2, 4-6 Lois Stavsky; 3 & 7 Sara C Mozeson
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With its extraordinary array of wonderful artworks crossing styles, genres and cultures, Rochester’s abandoned subway tunnel is a graffiti hunter’s dream. Here’s a small sampling of what we saw last weekend, while making a few stops in Upstate New York:
Brazilian artist Eder Muniz
Chris Pape aka Freedom and Taro AAK
Special thanks to Fresh Paint NYC for introducing us to this space.
Photos: 1 with segment of Roa piece, 3 & 4 Sara C Mozeson; 2, 5 – 7 Lois Stavsky
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Penned by London native David Sharabani aka Lord K2, Street Art Santiago is a fascinating foray into 14 neighborhoods within Santiago, Chile. With his stunning photography and revealing conversations with the artists, the author presents us with an intimate, striking portrait of an historic capital city. I recently had the opportunity to meet with David and ask him a few questions.
Street Art Santiago is quite amazing. When did you first start documenting street art?
It was in 2012. I was on vacation in Bogota, Colombia, and I was struck by the texture and quality of the pieces on the walls there.
You’ve been quite passionate about public art since. I’m a huge fan of your site the Museum of Urban Art. What other cities have you explored?
I’ve also photographed street art in Buenos Aires, São Paulo and here in New York City.
Why did you choose the street art in Santiago as the subject of your first book?
I discovered so many distinct styles that I loved, many representing the rich political and social history of the city. And I also felt a special bond with the Chilean artists whom I met. They love to share walls, and they love to collaborate. They invited me to paint with them, and they are extraordinarily humble.
You have a formal education in art. Did what you see on the streets impact your work as an artist?
Yes, after a few months in Buenos Aires, I was inspired to learn how to do stencil art. And I’ve been doing it since!
What were some of the challenges you faced in producing this book?
I was working with an inexpensive pocket camera. I was new to graffiti and street art, so I lacked any credibility. My knowledge of Spanish was limited. And I didn’t have a clue as to how to publish a book.
You seem to have brilliantly overcome these challenges. What’s next?
I’m off to Thailand at the end of the month where I will be documenting another kind of art, the art of Muay Thai, Thailand’s principal spectator sport.
What about street art? Any other books on the way?
Yes, my next book will focus on the street art in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
That sounds great! Good luck with it all!
Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky
Photos: 1 Piguan 2 Piri 3 Salazart 4 Piguan, Piri & Guztok 5 Grin, Cubdos, Derik & Sick 6 Brillos Graffiti Crew 7 Jony
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Featuring over two dozen beautifully-executed murals representing a diverse range of artistic styles, Coney Art Walls is a cause for celebration. Here are a few images captured this weekend.
Tatyana Fazlalizadeh pays homage to the long-time residents of Coney Island
Roa, close-up
Curated by Jeffrey Deitch, Coney Art Walls is located at 1320 Bowery Street off Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island. And on Sundays — through September 6 — a curated summer music series and dance party happening takes place from 5pm – 11pm.
Note: First image is of mural by Lady Aiko. Keep posted to the StreetArtNYC Facebook page for many more photos of Coney Art Walls.
All photos by Lois Stavsky
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Currently gracing the walls of Graffiti Universe up in the Bronx is a range of styles from photorealistic portraiture to stylish graffiti. Here is a sampling of the work fashioned by both international and regional artists:
Italian artist Jorit does the legendary TAKI 183
Vins and Signl, EOS
Norwegian artist Stay One, KD
Graffiti Universe is located at 2995 Boston Road in the Allerton section of the East Bronx.
Note: First image is by London-based Trans1
Photos by Lois Stavsky
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Green Villain‘s Demolition Exhibition — the brainchild of Greg Edgell aka Green Villian — has it all! With everything from stylish tags to captivating characters to first-rate pieces, it is a graffiti lover’s wonderland. Just minutes away from Downtown Manhattan, it is located at 410 Marin Boulevard, a short wall from Newport Mall. Here are a few more images I captured in the interior of the former Jersey City Pep Boys Auto Store while visiting Monday evening.
Curve and Mr. Mustart
The prodigious Evikt
Mes, Themo, Distoart and Kingbee
This amazing feat — coordinated with dozens of artists and community members — was accomplished in partnership with real-estate developers Forest City Enterprises and G&S Investors. Through this weekend, you can visit the space any day from 12-8pm.
First image is Knows aka Wane; all photos by Lois Stavsky
Note: Check out StreetArtNYC on Instagram for more photos of images from Demolition Exhibition, and keep posted to our Facebook page, as well.
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The first NYC tagger to go all-city, TAKI 183 has achieved mythical status as the father of modern day graffiti. We were thrilled to meet up with him last week.
Your name TAKI is — according to what we’ve read — a traditional Greek nickname for Demetrius, and 183 refers to the street where you lived in Washington Heights. How old were you when you first got your name up? And what was the first surface you hit?
I was about 16. The first surface I remember tagging was the bus terminal on 179th Street and Broadway.
What inspired you to leave your mark in a public space?
My friends Phil T. Greek and Greg 69 had begun writing their names in the neighborhood. They had most likely been inspired by Julio 204, whose tag first surfaced around 1964.
And why did you keep doing it?
I liked the feeling of getting my name up, and I liked idea of getting away with it. I soon became obsessed. Once I started, I couldn’t stop.
Did you have any preferred surfaces?
Any flat surface was good. Subways were good. If there was a blank space, I hit it.
Do any early memories that stand out?
One night when I came upon a huge empty space on a wall across from George Washington High School, I decided that instead of using a marker to write my name, I would use a paintbrush with black paint. I wasn’t prepared for the mess that it made. And I remember returning home with black paint all over me.
In the summer of 1971, you were the subject of a significant article in The New York Times. How did you feel about that?
I didn’t understand why they would waste their time on some kid who was tagging. I thought to myself, “For stupid things they put me into The New York Times. Aren’t there more important things going on in the world?”
How did that New York Times piece impact you?
It gave me legendary status. After all, if The New York Times says so, it must be true! Suddenly the media were all interested in not only what I was doing — my greatest hits — but in the entire culture of tagging and graffiti.
How did your family react to what was going on?
My father said, “Take it easy!”
Have you any thoughts about the direction that graffiti has taken?
I don’t really pay attention to it. If you were born after 1955, I don’t know you! But I do appreciate the graffiti over on 207th Street.
You’ve been riding the trains again in Nic 707‘s Instafame Phantom Art Project. Can you tell us something about that?
I think it’s great! I like Nic’s vision of taking an old concept and presenting it in a new way.
How do you feel about your status in the graffiti culture?
I feel good about it. I like having a place in history!
Have you any theories as to the world-wide popularity of modern graffiti?
It’s a great outlet for talent and creativity. And getting up in a public space gives you great exposure. Not everyone has the means or know-how to get into a gallery.
What advice would you give to the young taggers out there?
Be careful!
Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky.
Photos: 1 & 4 Lois Stavsky; 3 Italian artist Jorit with his portrait of TAKI 183 in the Bronx, courtesy Patrick Styx One; 5 Tara Murray
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